# Is This Equivalent Exchange (DD-225)

> Fullmetal Alchemist is a manga by Hiromu Arakawa, serialized from 2001 to 2010, adapted as two anime series (2003 and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, 2009). Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric try to bring their mother back with alchemy; Edward loses a leg and an arm, and Alphonse his whole body, his soul bound to a suit of armor. They seek the Philosopher's Stone to restore themselves. Alchemy in the story follows the law of equivalent exchange: to gain something, something of equal value must be lost. The Reel is a review with clips; the opinions in it are the Reel's.

- Department: Media
- First published: 2024-05-09
- Last updated: 2024-05-09
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/is-this-equivalent-exchange/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **2003**: The first Fullmetal Alchemist anime airs
- **2009**: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood premieres

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=is-this-equivalent-exchange

## Quick facts

- **DD-225-F01**: Hiromu Arakawa created it. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Arakawa))_
- **DD-225-F02**: It was adapted in 2003 and 2009. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Two anime))_

## Write-up

Edward and Alphonse Elric pay a terrible price for one experiment. Equivalent exchange is the law of alchemy in their world.

1. **Arakawa**: Hiromu Arakawa created it.
2. **Two anime**: It was adapted in 2003 and 2009.
3. **The cost**: Edward lost limbs and Alphonse his body.
4. **Philosopher's Stone**: They seek the Stone.
5. **Equivalent exchange**: Gain requires equal loss.

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## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Is This Equivalent Exchange: Edward and Alphonse Elric Pay a Terrible Price for One Experiment

- Duration: 52.5 s · Published: 2024-05-09
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C6xfwS-tXq2.mp4

### Transcript

Fullmetal Alchemist. A masterpiece of storytelling woven by Hiromu Arakawa is an anime and manga series that delves into the heart of alchemy, where science and magic converge. It follows the journey of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who seek a philosopher's stone to restore their bodies after a forbidden alchemy experiment goes tragically wrong. Set in a world where alchemy is the foremost science, the Elric brothers' quest is fraught with danger, moral dilemmas, and the pursuit of redemption. Their journey brings them face to face with militaristic nations, ancient conspiracies, and deep philosophical questions about the nature of existence and the cost of ambition. Fullmetal Alchemist explores themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the consequences of power, set against a backdrop of political intrigue and a battle against an unseen enemy. With its richly developed characters and complex narrative, Fullmetal Alchemist is not just an adventure story, but a profound exploration of the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on its audience. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Who created Fullmetal Alchemist?**  
A: Manga from 2001. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Arakawa) · Wikipedia: Fullmetal Alchemist)_

**Q: Whom did the brothers try to revive?**  
A: Forbidden alchemy. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Two anime) · Wikipedia: Fullmetal Alchemist)_

**Q: What holds Alphonse's soul?**  
A: He lost his body. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (The cost) · Wikipedia: Fullmetal Alchemist)_

**Q: What do they seek?**  
A: To restore themselves. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Philosopher's Stone) · Wikipedia: Fullmetal Alchemist)_

**Q: What is equivalent exchange?**  
A: Alchemy's rule. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Equivalent exchange) · Wikipedia: Fullmetal Alchemist)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Fullmetal Alchemist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullmetal_Alchemist)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Is This Equivalent Exchange." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-225, last updated May 9, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/is-this-equivalent-exchange/